Raise spirits with wreaths
Editor’s Note: A reminder to all that wreaths for this year’s Circles of Caring contest are due to the Times Union by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20. So send them soon!
We’ve just said farethee-well to Halloween, and Thanksgiving is soon approaching, but it’s safe to say we’re officially getting into the season of giving.
We are bringing back the Circles of Caring contest, which is not only a way to unleash your own creativity, but is also a way to give back. Fashion a wreath of your own design and submit it to the Times Union’s effort, and it will be donated to places like nursing homes, senior housing communities, adult care facilities, and more. Last year, the Times Union donated more than 80 wreaths to the Visiting Nurses Association, the Capital City Rescue Mission (both in Albany) and the Kingsway Community in Schenectady.
In addition to making you feel good, there’s another reward: Winners and the first runners-up in judging categories will win a prize from Hewitt’s Garden Centers, the sponsor of Circles for Caring.
So how can you participate?
Make a wreath! It can be made from any material except real evergreen fake evergreens, grapevine, foam, false branches, ornaments, etc., are all fine. Decorate as you like. In the past, we’ve had ribbons and bows, batteryoperated lights, delicate baubles, snowflakes, reindeer, fruit, musical instruments whatever tickles your fancy, make your wreath reflect it.
We will have three categories with a winner and a runner-up finalist: kids (12 and younger); teens (13-18) and adults (19 and up). We will also have a winning entry for a class/ group/organization.
Entries must be received in-house by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20. Make sure to include a tag that lists your name, age, address and phone number. If you don’t, we can’t include you in the contest. Then drop your wreath (or wreaths) off between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-friday at the Times Union, 645 Albany Shaker Road in Colonie or mail it to: Times Union, Box 15000 News Plaza, Albany, NY 12212.
Once we get all of the submissions, Times Union staff will pick our favorites, photograph them and post them as a gallery on the Times Union Facebook page on Monday, Nov. 26. We ask you -- our readers, to vote for your favorites by liking the ones you, well, like best. The Facebook voting will end on Wednesday, Dec. 5. We will tally up
those likes, and will then determine our winners.
Those winning wreaths, and finalists, will be featured in the Unwind section and on timesunion. com on Sunday, Dec. 16. We will also post a photo gallery on the website that will include every entry.